Minimum requirements for a "VAT agent"

[simfxuk]

Hi guys, I have a registered address at a "friend"'s warehouse, but have never seent he paperwork as to his supposed lease. Recently he mentioned he is just renting the warehouse, which has caused slight concern.. in the time I've been there he's registered 1000's of foreign addresses to said warehouse, and I remember meeting him originally as he markted himseld as a "HMRC Customs and VAT agent". I am trying to verify this now and looking on the accounting databases, is there anything else I should search for before I phone HMRC?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

HMRC do have a list of Customs agents (although I'm not sure that's quite what you are looking for)

Search the register of customs agents and express operators

Find a customs agent or express operator to help you with import and export declarations.

www.gov.uk

 

[fisicx]

….he markted himseld as a "HMRC Customs and VAT agent".

Probably just a made up title. Of more concern are these thousands of registered addresses as this feels fraudulent.

 

[simfxuk]

Probably just a made up title. Of more concern are these thousands of registered addresses as this feels fraudulent.

It is definitely, majority are from China and Dubai where he gets them VAT registration and charges a fee, then dissolves the company soonafter

 

[fisicx]

It is definitely, majority are from China and Dubai where he gets them VAT registration and charges a fee, then dissolves the company soonafter

Get a new address then report him to HMRC as this is fraud.

 

[simfxuk]

On it, new address coming in 2-4 working days

 

[simfxuk]

I have one very annoying conundrum though - my products are food products and they just got shipped, they have the above's registered address on the packaging as per the food labelling requirements. Now where would I stand if by the time they come, the printed address is no longer my registered address?

 

[fisicx]

Get new labels. If his warehouse gets raided by HMRC you would have to get now labels anyway.

Why can't you use your accountant as your registered office. That way you aren't tied to any specific warehouse.

 

[simfxuk]

Oh yes of course, I wouldn't be stocking anything there at all. I just mean the packaging of the foods is on a sea shipment currently. It won't be routed to the address anyway, just it's impossible to remanufacture the goods now with a new address.

 

[fisicx]

Sell this shipment whist repackaging and changing your address.

 

[simfxuk]

Good day people. I have movde address etc. I got feedback from the person I have the problem with. Does 'compasspoint-X5W7SSCAQB75' have any relevance to being a 'VAT agent number'? Or is the person trying to have me on?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Good day people. I have movde address etc. I got feedback from the person I have the problem with. Does 'compasspoint-X5W7SSCAQB75' have any relevance to being a 'VAT agent number'? Or is the person trying to have me on?

It's not something I recognise and doesnt look like an HMRC agent registration number to me.